Porta Soprana is located in the center of Genoa, close to Piazza De Ferrari and the Doge’s Palace. It is the medieval gate that ideally divides the Old City from the modern city.
The ancient Porta Soprana was already part of the city walls dating back to the 10th century. It was completed between 1155 and 1161 and today, after regaining all its splendour with the restoration work of the 1990s, it still stands out as one of the city’s symbols.
Not far from the Porta Soprana’s towers there is still what is identified with the Columbus’ house, the juvenile residence of the navigator that was rebuilt in the 18th century after the bombardment of 1684 from Louis XIV the Sun King.
Adjacent to the Columbus’ house is the Cloister of Sant’Andrea, dating back to the 12th century and originally located inside a monastery which was demolished (with the entire historic district of Sant’Andrea) to make room for the current piazza Dante. It was relocated here in 1922.
Porta Soprana, Columbus’ house and the Cloister can be visited. From here starts the route 3 to discover the Historical Center of Genoa.
